Boosters and Beyond: Reducing Readmission Rates
A Six-Week Series for Nursing Homes Care coordination often presents challenges for nursing home providers. For six weeks, on Tuesdays at 12 pm ET, the IPRO QIN-QIO team will share …
COVID-19
You are Invited to a National Office Hours Call on the Ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Please join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for an informational event to help providers, facilities and people with Medicare prepare for the end of the COVID-19 Public …
Adults Need Vaccines, Too
Vaccines Are Not Just for Kids by Amy Sgueglia, MSN, RN, MAIC Facilitator, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. The COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine have underscored the importance …
Vaccination: A Personal Journey
By Charles W. Redd, MS, RN As we continue to move towards normalcy since the pandemic, which began in the United States in March 2020, I am often asked by …
A Pharmacist Reflects on the Opportunity to Protect the Public’s Health
By Jennifer Griffiths, PharmD, RPh When COVID-19 struck I was working at a small, independent pharmacy on Martha’s Vineyard. We have only one hospital which has three ICU beds and …
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Partnering Beyond COVID-19 Prevention and Management of Patients with Chronic Disease
COVID-19 has changed healthcare in many ways and has delayed chronic disease management for many patients. Patients needing follow-up appointments for their chronic disease were not able to schedule appointments …
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A Patient’s Perspective: Bivalent Booster Offers Another Layer of Protection
by Rosie Bartel, patient advisor As a patient who has a compromised immune system due to healthcare acquired MRSA, I decided to get the bivalent vaccine. My reason was that …
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A Patient’s Perspective: Why the Bivalent Booster was Important to Me
by Janice Tufet, Medicare beneficiary On March 1, 2020, I had just finished a two-day Complex Care and Social Needs Core Competency steering group meeting in Camden, New Jersey, where …
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A Community Effort to Covid-19 Vaccinations
by Chris Symolon, Director, COVID-19 Vaccination Project, Foundation for Healthy Communities, New Hampshire Welcome to 2023, a new year, a new start, a reset! I have been reflecting on the …
If You’ve Seen One Rural Community, You’ve Seen One Rural Community
Perspectives of a Rural Health Advocate Guest Blog by Ronnie Rom, MSPH, CPHQ, Massachusetts Office of Rural Health While I didn’t grow up in a rural area, I lived for …
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Once More into the Breach: Perspectives of an Epidemiologist
By Jenna Cebelius, MPH, HAI Program Coordinator | Health Surveillance Epidemiologist, Division of Laboratory Sciences & Infectious Disease | Vermont Department of Health I meandered my way through several healthcare …
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Bivalent Booster Hesitancy? Set the Stage for Success!
The COVID-19 Bivalent Booster is critical in preventing serious COVID-19 outcomes. Yet, Many are hesitant to get the vaccine. Hear from our experts addressing hesitancy and discussing strategies for vaccine …
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Raising Preemies During a Pandemic: Vaccines Protect The Most Vulnerable
by Erin Just, BScOT, MA, Quality Improvement Coordinator, Vermont Blueprint for Health In 2019, I welcomed identical twin boys. They arrived earlier than hoped, requiring medical intervention to improve their …
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Walk Alongside the Community to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy
By Sandra N. Colpitts MSN, RN, CIC, Manager, Infection Prevention and Control, South County Health, Wakefield, RI When I first became a nurse, I never imagined the adventures I would …
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Boosters & Beyond: Addressing Key Challenges
In November 2022, IPRO surveyed providers about their key challenges. In this series, the IPRO nursing home team will provide insights and suggestions related to boosters, National Healthcare Safety Network …
The Winter of our Discontent….or Maybe Not! Perspectives of an Infection Preventionist
by Mary Ellen Casey, RN, Infection Preventionist, IPRO QIN-QIO As a college student I nearly drowned. A lifeguard saved my life. I will never forget being in the water, looking …
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Now is the Time: A Compendium of Tools to Use for Great American Smokeout and Beyond
It is a well-established fact: smoking leads to disease, disability, and harm in nearly every organ system. It has long been shown to cause cancer, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, lung …
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Boosters and Beyond: Rethinking Readmissions
In this series, we will review factors that can contribute to readmissions and strategies to address these factors. Some topics to be discussed are C.Diff, Sepsis, UTIs, Dementia, Falls, Wound …
National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2022 Start Time: 4:00 pm ET Please join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control for a National Nursing Home …
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
On September 23, 2022, the CDC updated its infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel across all settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. A summary of recent changes includes: Updated …
CMS OMH Honors National Hispanic Heritage Month
This year, as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) honors National Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be focusing on the nation’s 60.5 million …
Great Shot! Make Your Vaccine Campaign a Slam Dunk
August is Immunization Awareness Month. Make sure your team is armed with tools and strategies to launch an effective vaccine campaign. Join us for a one-hour virtual Learning Action Network …
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Boosters & Beyond: Building QI Resilience
Boosters & Beyond: Building QI Resilience! Recently, the IPRO Nursing Home Quality Improvement (QI) Team has received an increasing number of requests for QI support and education. Many administrators and …
Ideas for Establishing Joy in Healthcare Work
Joy in Work, a framework by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, states an essential part of mitigating burnout and turnover, especially during these challenging times, is to focus on restoring …
July Infection Prevention Question of the Month
Melanie Ronda, RN, MSN, host of our weekly IP3 Office Hours gets many questions each week. Here’s one that may resonate with you: Q: What is the definition of being “up-to-date” on …
IP3 Resources: Vaccination Campaigns for Long-Term Care Facilities
As part of the IPRO QIN-QIO’s “From Booster Shots to Bouncing Back” weekly educational series, every Thursday we offer IP3 – Infection Prevention by an Infection Preventionist for Infection Preventionists. …
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June Infection Prevention Question of the Month
Melanie Ronda, RN, MSN, host of our weekly IP3 Office Hours gets many questions each week. Here’s one that may resonate with you: Q: We started using N95 masks during …
Case Study: Improving Access to Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Challenge Access to care is an essential component of healthcare quality. It follows that ensuring access to care is one of the priorities emphasized by the Centers for Medicare …
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CDC: New changes coming in May! NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Forms will be Revised
What are the main changes? Simplifications COVID-19 vaccination data will no longer be reported by vaccine manufacturer for questions on primary vaccine series and additional/booster doses. Questions on vaccine supply …
May Infection Prevention Question of the Month
Melanie Ronda, MSN, RN, host of our weekly IP3 Office Hours gets many questions each week. Here’s one that may resonate with you: Q: Our nursing home’s medical director has …
IPRO QIN-QIO Presents: ‘From Booster Shots to Bouncing Back,’ a Webinar Series
A possible solution to the challenge of workforce retention is to make sure that staff enjoy their work. But it goes further than just staff satisfaction levels. There is a …
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Medicare Beneficiaries to Get Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
The Biden-Harris Administration announced on April 4 that more than 59 million Americans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, now have access to Food …
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Eligible Individuals Can Receive Second COVID-19 Booster Shot at No Cost
On April 6, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster shot of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines …
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FDA amends EUA for Moderna/J&J COVID-19 Booster Shots, Effective 10/20/2021 & Billing Codes
Effective October 20, 2021, FDA amended the emergency use authorizations for the Moderna and Jansen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines to allow for use of a single booster dose for …
Rural Americans Share Personal Stories to Inspire Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines in Local Communities and Nationwide
New PSAs from the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative Speak to Those Still Hesitant About Vaccination Across Rural Communities In September 2021, incidence rates of COVID-19 in rural America were …
Health Equity Hospital Highlights: October Newsletter
View the latest hospital health equity news, events, and tools to support your efforts in eliminating health care disparities within your health system and communities. What’s inside? New Data Highlight …
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IPRO QIN-QIO presents: NHSN Office Hours, October 14, 18, 20
In this session, our nursing home experts will do a brief review of changes to NHSN. Following our “small talk” you’ll have the chance to discuss any challenges you’re experiencing …
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IPRO QIN-QIO Presents: 30-Minute Vaccine Huddle for Nursing Homes, Oct. 19, 2021, 12 PM
Join our 30-minute vaccine huddle meeting, to discuss optimizing influenza and COVID-19 booster dosing this Fall. Learn more about: Vaccine screening upon admission Administration of influenze, COVID-19 vaccines Fast facts …
IPRO QIN-QIO Presents: 30-Minute Vaccine Huddle for Nursing Homes, Oct. 19, 2021, 12 PM Read More »
CDC Updates Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Healthcare Settings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about …
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COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging for Rural Communities
The New England Rural Health Association developed a COVID-19 Vaccine Messaging Campaign to help improve vaccination rates in our states and communities. Materials These materials focus on the business community and …
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New Program Announcement: Operation Expanded Testing
Federally-Funded COVID-19 Testing Program What is Operation Expanded Testing? Operation Expanded Testing is a program supported and funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide COVID-19 …
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CDC Health Advisory: Vaccination to Prevent COVID-19 Outbreaks with Current and Emergent Variants
July 27, 2021 | The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory The CDC is issuing this Health Alert Network Health Advisory to …
Ask a Doctor: What About the New COVID-19 Variants?
Continue to build COVID-19 vaccine confidence in hesitant patients by sharing this one-minute video featuring Dr. Gina Gregory-Burns explaining that the vaccines are effective and protective against variants. This video …
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CMS encourages nursing homes to continue COVID-19 vaccination rates
June 17, 2021 | On May 11, 2021, CMS published an interim final rule with comment period that added new COVID-19 vaccination reporting requirements for nursing home staff and residents. …
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COVID-19 Vaccination Upon Discharge from Hospitals, Emergency Departments, and Urgent Care Facilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently shared with immunization program mangers across the country the document “Increasing Access to Vaccination Opportunities: COVID-19 Vaccination upon Discharge from Hospitals, …
Biden Administration Continues Efforts to Increase Vaccinations By Bolstering Payments for At-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations for Medicare Beneficiaries
Action Could Impact as many as 1.6 Million People with Medicare As part of President Biden’s commitment to increasing access to vaccinations, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) …
COVID-19-Related Coverage and Payment
HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF) On May 3, 2021, HHS, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced a new program covering the cost of administering COVID-19 vaccines …
CMS Launches Community Champions Video
On May 5, 2021, as a part of CMS’ ongoing COVID-19 response efforts to support the long-term care community, CMS debuted its first social media videos. The videos highlight staff, …
We’ve added new COVID-19 resources
Stay up-to-date on new resources from the New York State Department of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare …
FDA & CDC Resume Use of the J&J COVID-19 Vaccine
As of April 25, 2021, the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine resume in the United States. …
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A Letter from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dear Colleagues, The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the egregious and long-standing inequities that exist across the United States—inequities that have a profound effect on the physical, social, economic, and emotional …
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Updated Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
We’re sharing the following information from the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Updated: April 14, 2021 Why are the FDA and CDC recommending a pause in the …
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Pausing the Use of J&J COVID-19 Vaccine: Information for Long-Term-Care Facilities
The IPRO QIN-QIO is sharing an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC and FDA recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 …
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Resources on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Suspension
Information Provided by the Anticoagulation Forum Following six reported cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine in the US, …
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Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine: Health Alert
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert, about the CDC and FDA’s recommended pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. We’re …
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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources: Reaching Vulnerable Populations
As COVID-19 vaccines continue rolling out across the country, CMS is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers and keeping you updated on …
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Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Updates as of April 2, 2021 Highlights Fully vaccinated people can: Resume domestic travel Do not need to get tested before or after travel Do not need to self-quarantine after …
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We’ve Updated our COVID-19 Resources Page
Stay up-to-date on the latest COVID-19 resources. This month, we’re highlighting new resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of …
Mom’s Vaccinated: When can I visit her nursing home?
It is so great that your mom, dad, or other loved ones have received their COVID-19 vaccine. This is an important step towards protecting their health, achieving herd immunity and …
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New COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance and Resources for Partners during the Pandemic
CMS, CDC, and HHS released new guidance and resources related to the COVID-19 vaccine to serve our beneficiaries.